Rubber shock absorbing mechanisms



Sept. 18, 1956 v. s. DANIELSON 2,763,380

RUBBER SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISMS Filed Dec. 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inn 971%)": Vefnon S, Danielson Sept. 18, 1956 v. s DANIELSON RUBBER SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 23, 1955 lnv evylorz Vernon SjUanieYscn. giwzfl I u.

United States Patent RUBBER SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISMS Vernon S. Danielson, Chicago, 111., assignor to W. H. Miner, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application December 23, 1953, Serial No. 400,027

6 Claims. (Cl. 213-49) This invention relates to improvements in rubber shock absorbing mechanisms for railway draft riggings.

One object of the invention is to provide a high capacity rubber shock absorbing mechanism, particularly adapted for use in connection with railway car draft riggings of the lengthwise movable center sill type.

Another object of theinvention is to provide, in a car having draft sills which are lengthwise movable with respect to the car body, yielding means for opposing relative lengthwise movement between said sills and the car body, comprising a plurality of rubber cushioning units arranged in stack or column formation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cushioning mechanism of the character set forth, comprising a plurality of units in the form of a column, each unit comprising a pair of metal plates and a fiat rubber pad interposed between the plates, wherein the rubber pad of each unit is vulcanized and bonded to the plates of the units, thereby greatly increasing the shock absorbing capacity of said unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cushioning mechanism comprising a column of units, each composed of a pair of metal plates and a flat rubber pad interposed between and bonded to the plates, wherein the column is stabilized by a plurality of aligning followers which divide the column of units into groups and are held against edgewise displacement with respect to each other, and wherein the members of each group of units are held in alignment with each other by interengaged centering bosses thereon, and in alignment with said followers by interengaging bosses on said units and followers.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a shock absorbing mechanism comprising a column of units, each composed of \a pair of metal plates and an interposed rubber mat or pad, which is vulcanized and bonded to the plates, wherein the column of units is stabilized by a plurality of centering or aligning followers, which divide the column of units into groups, the aligning fol lowers being held against displacement in both vertical and horizontal direction, respectively, by being guided between the top and bottom members of the underframe structure of the car and by being embraced between the movable draft sills of the draft rigging.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism as set forth in the preceding paragraph, wherein the aligning followers are provided with projecting flanges which overhang the units of each group and afford bearing surface contact of relatively great length with the draft sills and the top and bottom members of the underframe structure of the car, thereby holding said aligning followers against edgewise displacement and said column against buckling.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism as set forth herein, wherein the rubber pads or mats of the units composing the column are made to conform in size and shape with the plates, and have their peripheral edges indented or grooved to such an extent ice that there will be no bulging of the edges of the pads beyond the edges of the plates when the pads are flattened by being compressed between said plates, and thus protect the rubber pads against damage which would occur if the edges were exposed.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the accompanying drawings forming :a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a horizontal, longitudinal sectional view, through the underframe structure of a railway car, corresponding substantially to the line 1-1 of Figure 2, illustrating my improved mechanism in connection therewith, the same being shown in plan.

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 2-2 of Figure l, on an enlarged scale, with the follower plate B omitted.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the rubber shock absorbing mechanism illustrated in Figure l, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, partly broken away, of the left hand end portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 3, the shock absorbing units being shown in side elevation.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of one of the spacing or aligning followers of my improved mechanism.

Figure 6 is an elevational View of the left hand end follower of the improved mechanism shown in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the lower left hand side portion of Figure 4, partly broken away, showing the cushioning units in longitudinal vertical section.

In said drawings, 10-10 indicate the cross bearers of the underframe of a railway car, 11-11 the longitudinally extending fixed center or draft sills of said car, and 12 the car floor structure. A supporting plate 13 extending lengthwise of the car underframe, from one cross bearer to the other, forms the bottom wall. of the draft gear pocket, which pocket is defined by the same, the car floor 12, and fixed draft sills 11-11. Slidable lengthwise of the car between the fixed sills 11-11 are movable center or draft sills 14-14 in the form of lengthwise extending, channel-shaped beams reenforced by lengthwise extending plates -115 which are welded to the outer edge portions of the top and bottom flanges of the beams. The movable center sills 14-14 are slidingly supported on blocks 15-15 carried on the cross bearers 10-10. The movable sills 14-14 are provided with transversely aligned pairs of stop lugs 16-16 and 17- 17 on the inner sides thereof, the lugs 16 and 17 of each sill being spaced apart lengthwise of said sill. to an extent to accommodate my improved shock absorbing mechanism and the usual pair of end follower blocks 18-18 therebetween. A lengthwise disposed wear plate 19, extending from one cross bearer 10 to the other, is preferably fixed to the underneath side of the floor structure 12 to act as a top guide for my improved shock absorbing mechanism. Longitudinally spaced fixed end stops 20- 20 are provided within the draft gear pocket of the underframe of the car. These stops 20-20 are rigidly secured to the car structure and are located in the spaces between the stop lugs 16-16 and 17-17, and the longitudinal spacing thereof is the same as that: of the lugs 16-17 and 16-17, so that the follower blocks 18-18 normally abut the same.

My improved rubber shock absorbing mechanism, as illustrated, comprises broadly a plurality of rubber cushioning units A-A-A, end follower plates B and C, and a plurality of spacing follower plates D-D, together forming a resilient yielding column. As shown in Figure 1, my improved mechanism, as applied to the car, is arranged with the draft gear pocket of the underframe between the follower blocks 18-18.

The rubber cushioning units A are all of the same design, each unit comprising apair of substantially rectangular metal plates 21 and 22 and an interposedfl'at rubber pad or mat 23, which is vulcanized and bonded to the inner sides of the plates. The pad 23 of each unit A corresponds in surface area and outline to theplates21; and

22 and has the edge faces thereof indented or grooved;.as indicated at'24, to accommodate the flow of the. material of. the pad as the same is compressed, thereby preventing the material of the pad from being squeezedoutwardly to an extent to bulge beyond the edges of the'plates 21.and 22 and be thus subjected to the danger of being damaged; The grooves 24 are of outwardly flaring, transverse cross section, having the side walls thereof. slightly curved concavely, and the inner back walls. rounded concavely on relatively short radius andmerging with theflaring side walls; Asshown in Figures 3 and 4, the material of. the pad or mat 23 at the region of each groove 24, above and belowthe groove, thins out gradually toward the peripheral edge of said pad, terminating in a. mere film at the edge portion of the corresponding platc. When the unit A is fully compressed in service, that. is, compressed to a predetermined maximum extent, the. edges of the pads 23-23 will lie substantially flush with the edges of the metal plates 21 and 22 of the same. The plates 21 and 22 of each unit A are of similar design, each having hollow centering bosses 25 thereon. shown in Figure 4, the hollow centering boss of the plate 21v is engaged within the hollow boss 25 of the plate 22 of the adjacent unit. The interposed. rubber'pad 23 of each unit has. centering projections 26 on; one side engaged in thehollows of the bosses 26 of the plate 21 at'the corresponding side of said unit and indentations or seats 27 on the opposite side engaged by the protruding portions of the hollow bosses 25 of the other plate of said unit.

Asshown in Figures land 3, the resilient colurnnof my improved mechanism comprises a plurality of units A-A which are arranged in groups separated by the, spacing follower plates D, the groups being six in. number and each group comprising a set of two units: A-A. The two units of each set areheld in aligned condition by the hollow centering projections or bosses 25-25 of the plates 21 and 22 of adjacent units, which are engaged with each other. As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the follower plate Bbearson the group of units A-A at the left hand end of the column, the follower plate C bears on. the

. group of units at the-right hand end of the column, andv the spacing follower plates D are alternated with the groups. of units, the follower plates D being five in numher.

The follower plate B is of rectangularshape, preferablyv square, andhas two sets of l'aterallyprojecting; an.-

gular, pcripheralflanges 28-28 and: 28-28 onthe-inner. side. extending from diagonally opposite corners of the.

plate. Inother words, the flanges28-28 and 28-28have biased edges,.or are cut away at an angular inclination, as.

shown most clearly in Figures 4 and.6 so that the flanges.

28-28 of the respective sets have-theirpeaksat diagonally opposite corners of the plate and decline toward the remaining two corners of said plate. Onthe inner side there.- of,.the'follower plate B isprovided with projecting centering. bosses 32-32, which are engaged within;thehollo.w bosses of the plate 22 of the adjacent cushioning unit A.

The follower plateC. is similar to the follower plate;B, having two sets of angular flanges 29-29 and; 29-29 onits inner side at diagonally opposite corners,- similar. in

designand.arragement'to the flanges. 28-28 and 28-28 of the follower plate B, but rotated toa position in which.

the inclined edges of the respective flanges of said plates B andv C. are in parallel relation, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 On the inner sidethereof, the follower. plate C is provided withcentering seats 33-33 in whichare engagedthe centering bosses 25-25of the plate. 21 of the adjacent: cushioning. unit A.

The-spacing follower plates D areall of 'thesame design, each plate being of substantially square'shape and having 4 two sets of angular flanges 30-30 and 30-30 on one side. andv two sets of angular. flanges 31-31 and 31-31 on opposite sides thereof. The flanges 30-30 and 30-30 extend from two diagonally opposite corners of the plate and have biased edges, or are cut away at an inclination, as shown most clearly in Figures 4 and 5, so that the angular flanges 30-30 of the respective sets have their peaks at two diagnoally opposite corners of the plate and decline toward the two remaining. diagonally opposite corners, and the angular flanges 31-31 and 31-31 at opposite sides of said plate extend from said last named diagonally opposite corners and have biased edges, or are cut away at an angle or inclination, having. their peaks at said last named corners and declining toward the remaining two diagonal corners. Each spacing plate D also has centering projections 34-34 on one side and seats 35-35 on the opposite side, the projections 34-34 of said plate being engaged within the hollow bosses 25-25 of the plate 22 of the adjacent unit A at one sideof said spacing plate D, and the seats 35-35 receiving the projecting portions of the centeringbosses 25-25 of the plate 21- of the unit A adjacent the other side of said' plate D. Inthe assembled condition of the mechanism, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the end follower plates B and C and the spacing follower plates D-D. are arranged so that the angular flanges thereof are interspaced to extend past each; other in overlapped condition with the biased edges thereof in parallel relation. The dividing plane between the twoplates of each group of units AA is thus-overlapped by the flangesof the spacing follower plates .D-D'

at opposite endsof said group.

When assembled with the railroad car, my. improvedmechanism issnugly embraced between the movable center sills 14-14, the wear plate. 19 of. the floor structure 12, and the supporting plate13, so that the follower plates B and C and'the spacing plates D-D have a slidingfit with these parts and are guided by their peripheral flanges,

these flanges thus holding the follower and spacing plates of the columnagainst edgewise displacement with respect to each. other, and the column of units A-A against buckling or relative displacement in edgewise direction with respect to. each other. he noted that the provision of angular or biased flanges of.- the character illustrated affords extended bearing contactof the flanges with the cooperating guide surfaces for the. plates, thereby completely eliminating the danger of the plates being tilted during operation of the mechanism in service, which tilting. would be. detrimentalto theproper operation of the mechanism. As installed in the car, m-y improved mechanism is placed under a predetermined amount of initial compression, being held in that condition between the follower blocks. 18-18; V

In theoperation of my improved mechanism, the sills.

14-14 are moved lengthwise with respect to the car by shockstransmitted to the usual coupler, which is connected to the sills, thereby compressing my improved shock absorbing mechanism between the follower blocks 18-18, the follower block 18 at one end of the mechanism, being. held, against movement with respect to the car by the. corresponding stop 20, and the follower block at the opposite end of'the mechanism being carried toward the same with the sills. 1.4-1.4 by the engagement there-- wise of the mechanism, thus restoring all of the parts to the normal positions shown in Figure 1.

I claim:

1. In a shock absorbing mechanism for railway cars having longitudinally movable; laterally spacedcentersills In. this connection it should and top and bottom guide walls adjacent said sills, the combination with a column of cushioning units, said units being divided into groups; of aligning follower plates of rectangular shape alternated with said groups, said units of said groups having interengaging centering means thereon; and laterally extending, angular, interspaced, peripheral guide flanges on said follower plates at diagonally opposite corners thereof, said guide flanges having a sliding fit between said sills and between said top and bottom walls.

2. in a shock absorbing mechanism for railway cars having longitudinally movable, laterally spaced center sills and top and bottom guide walls adjacent said sills, the combination with a column of cushioning units, said units being divided into groups; of aligning follower plates oi rectangular shape alternated with said groups, said units of said groups having interengaging centering means thereon; and laterally extending, angular, interspaeed, peripheral, top, bottom and side guide flanges on said follower plates, said guide flanges having a sliding fit between said sills and between said top and bottom walls.

3. In a shock absorbing mechanism for railway cars having longitudinally movable, laterally spaced center sills and top and bottom guide walls adjacent said sills, the combination with a column of cushioning units, said units being divided into groups; of aligning follower plates of rectangular shape alternated with said groups, said units of said groups having interengaging centering means thereon; and laterally extending, inclined, interspaced, peripheral guide flanges on said follower plates, said guide flanges having a sliding fit between said sills and between said top and bottom walls.

4. in a draft gear for railway draft rigging, a resilient column composed of units arranged in groups of a plurality of units each; stabilizing means for the column comprising plates disposed between the groups of units; flanges on the edges of each plate disposed at right angles thereto and overhanging the adjacent units and inclined with respect to the plate and extending from high points with respect to one face of the plate at diagonally opposite corners thereof to high points with respect to the other face of the plate at the intervening diagonal corners; interengaged sockets and bosses on said units and plates for keeping the units in fixed position relative to each other and to the plates; and guides with which the flanges have sliding contact for keeping the column aligned.

5. An aligning follower for a shock absorbing resilient column which is composed of a plurality of rectangular resilient units disposed face to face, comprising: a rectangular plate disposed between adjacent ones of said units; bosses projecting from one face and sockets indented into the other face of said unit in alignment with the bosses; peripheral flanges on said plate disposed at right angles thereto and inclined with respect to the plate from high points with respect to said one face of the plate at diagonally opposite corners thereof to high points with respect to said other face of the plate at the intervening diagonal corners of the plate.

6. An aligning follower as specified in claim 5 in which the flanges upstanding from said one face of the plate blend into that face at said intervening diagonal corners thereof and the flanges upstanding from said other face of the plate blend into that face at the first named diagonal corners of the plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,129,550 Duryea Sept. 6, 1938 2,515,188 Brennan July 18, 1950 2,535,197 Dath Dec. 26, 1950 2,559,743 Williams July 10, 1951 2,588,488 Dath Mar. 11, 1952 2,713,485 Tillou July 19, 1955 

